Stamp gauge



spt.15,1936. L R, FMLA .2,054,697

STAMP GAUGE ggg/37 Sept. 15, 1936. J. R. FIALA f 2,054,697

I STAMP .GAUGE Filed Aug. 1s, 1934 2 s.heetsshf=fu 2 f7? ya?? fa?" @if/afg@ Patented Sept. 15, 1936 ,UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE s claims.

The invention relates to gauges and more particularly to gaugesfor postage stamps. y

In collecting postage stamps it becomes necessary to determine the number of perforations 5 at the edge of a stamp which are a factor in determining the character and value of a stamp.

It, therefore, constitutes an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive device enabling the determination of the number of serrations at the edges of a stamp.

Another object aims at providing a gauge which may be moved with respect to a stationarily held stamp until the graduations of the gauge coincide with the serrations of the stamp.

A further object includes the provision of a magnifying lens to facilitate the matching of the graduations with the perforations.

A still further object includes a holder for the stamp affording forward, backward, sidewise motion in addition to circular movement enabling convenient check of both edges of the stamp.

Other and equally important objects will become apparent from a perusal of the following specification. The invention comprises the means described in the following specication, particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part thereof, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational front view of the gauge constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

35 Fig. 4 is a plan view of a base plate and modiled stamp holder,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the base plate with the stamp holder in a different position,

Fig. 6 is a-section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the several views in the drawings, I designates a base plate having upstanding spaced walls II and I2 in which is journaled a shaft I3 projecting beyond the wall II and provided with a knurled handle I4 for the rotation of the shaft. A roller I is fast on the shaft and is provided with a plurality of graduations as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. A plate I6 is secured b y screws I1 to the top of walls II and I2 and 1s formed with a rectangular slot I8 to render the top of roller I5 visible from the top. A U-shaped member I9 is superposed on the plate and held 1n place by the rear screws I1, said member having slots 20 to afford adjustment thereof. The front endof the U-member I9 is beveled as at 2| to facilitate the insertion of Va stamp 22 Whose serrated edge projectsonto the roller. The latter is rotated by the handle I4 until the proper graduation coincides with the serration of the stamp 5 edge.

To the wall I2 is secured a bracket 23 in which a pintle 24 is secured. Depending flanges 25 of a plate 26 are provided with apertures for the passage of said pintle 24 so that the plate 26 may be l0 swung from a horizontal position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 to an outward position indicated in dotted lines.

The plate 26 is formed with a slot 21 and struck out tongues 28 to hold a magnifying glass 29 in 15 place. A lug 30 at the free end of the plate 26 bears against the U-member I9 to hold the plate in horizontal position.

'I'he provision of the magnifying glass 29 facilitates checking of the stamp serrations with the 20 graduations on the roller.

A bracket 3| is also secured to the wall I2 by a screw 32 and is traversed by an upright rod 33 provided with a collar 34 to secure the rod against vertical movement. 25

A clamp 35 near the upper end of the rod 33 secures the ends of a band 36 which surrounds a magnifying glass 31 to enable close examination of a stamp as to water marks or imperfections. 30

In order to obvi-ate handling of the stamps a holder may be employed as illustrated in Figs.

4 to '7, inclusive. The plate I6 is replaced by a plate 40 which has a slot 4I similar to slot I8 and in addition has a small rectangular slot 35 42 in which a slide 43 may be moved which has depending flanges 44. The slide 43 has an elongated slot 45 in which is received a screw 46 provided with a nut 41 bearing on the slide. The head of the screw 46 is countersunk in a plate 48 to which is hinged a plate 49 and said plates 48, 49 constitute a holder for a stamp arranged therebetween.

From the foregoing it follows that the slide 43 may be moved rearwardly and forwardly. In addition the holder may be moved sidewise throughout the length of slot 45 and the holder may be rotated around the screw 41 as a pivot. Thus a stamp may be checked conveniently at both edges without touching it with the fingers. The plate 49 has a nger piece 50 to facilitate opening and closing of the holder.

While the drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I, therefore, do not limit myself to the details of construction and arrangement as shown but Wish to include all changes, variations and modifications constituting departures Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a holder for maintaining one edge of a stamp in fixed position, a roller having a number of graduations, and means for actuating said roller to play its graduations sequentially against said stamp edge.

2. In a device of the character described, roller having a number of graduations, means for supporting said roller for rotation, and means for maintaining a stamp in tangential relation to said roller.

3. A device of the character described, including a roller having graduations, a support rotatably holding said roller, and means for selectively maintaining the stamp edges in tangential relation to said roller to check the stamp perforations.

4. In a device of the character described, a holder for maintaining one edge of a stamp in xed position, a gauge having la curved surface provided with graduations, and means for ac-V tuating said gauge to play its graduations sequentially against said stamp edge.

5. In a device of the character described, an adjustable holder for a stamp, a gauge having a curved surfaceV provided with graduations, means for actuating said gauge to play its graduations sequentially against one edge of the stamp, and means for adjusting said holder for presenting different edges of a stamp to said gauge.

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